FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF SINTERED MATRIX TABLET OF LOSARTAN POTASSIUM

Exploration of sintering concept in pharmaceutical science is relatively recent. The objective of this study is to investigate the release characteristics of matrix tablet consisting of a hydrophobic polymer and Losartan potassium for sustain release formulation using sintering technique. Losartan potassium is a Angiotensin receptor II blocker commonly used to treat high blood pressure and it is an ideal candidate for designing sustaining drug formulation due to its frequent dosing and short biological half-life (about 1.5 to 2.5hrs; active metabolite: 3 to 9 hrs.). The tablets were compressed by direct compression method and formulation were sintered at 75 0 C temperatures and various time points. Sintering i.e. application of heat, causes the bonding of adjacent particle surfaces in a mass of powder or in a compact leading to the retardation of drug release. The sintered tablets were characterized by their physical parameters and in-vitro dissolution tests. FT-IR and differential scanning calorimetry studies ruled out the occurrence of drug interaction after sintering condition. It can be concluded that as sintering time increases drug retardation also increase.